Fly-over action sends message to U.S. Attorney General Holder and launches advocates’ Peace for Patients.
By Michael Komorn
While U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder spoke at a UC Berkeley law school commencement ceremony, a plane flew overhead with a banner that read “Holder: End Rx Cannabis War. #Peace4Patients,” protesting the recent actions of the Justice Department in the Bay Area.
(Related: Cannabis Defense Day)
Medical marijuana advocates were handing out fake DOJ recruitment flyers outsides of the Harvest Greek Theatre, where Holder delivered his speech. The flyers detailed how the Obama Administration is using harmful tactics that are adversely affecting the lives of hundreds of thousands of patients in California.
“Patients will not stand idly by while Attorney General Holder’s Justice Department continues to attack our community and endanger the lives of Berkeley residents” said Caren Woodson, one of theadvocates outside the ceremony. “We’re here today to call attention to the misguided policies of the Obama Administration and to ensure that his ongoing campaign against medical marijuana is stopped in its tracks.” The protest today was organized by Americans for Safe Access and California NORML.
(Related: Macomb judge’s ruling makes medical marijuana one big legal gray area)
Just a few days prior to Holder’s speech, his Justice Department served an asset forfeiture lawsuit on the landlord of Berkeley Patients Group, on the city’s oldest and most-respected medical marijuana dispensaries. Filed on May 2nd, the lawsuit was strongly denounced at a press conference Wednesday by Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates and four city Councilmembers.
“I think it’s time for the federal government, the president and the attorney general to wake up and stop these kinds of actions,” Mayor Bates said at the press conference. “Here is a group of people who have played by the rules and have had no problems in the city with the way they or their patients conduct themselves.”
(Related: Medical Marijuana Supporters Campaign for Limited Legalization In Michigan)
Saturday’s efforts were also aimed at launching the Peace for Patients campaign, which calls on Congress to “end the war on patients.” The Peace for Patients campaign (#Peace4Patients and http://PeaceForPatients.org) has begun as a petition drive to help put pressure on Congress, but will expand to include a broader effort this summer using social media and grassroots meetings with legislators in order to help change federal policy.
If you or someone you know is facing charges as a result of Medical Marijuana prescribed to you as a Medical Marijuana patient under the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act, contact Komorn Law and ensure your rights are protected.
Michael Komorn is recognized as a leading expert on the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act. He is the President of theMichigan Medical Marijuana Association (MMMA), a nonprofit patient advocacy group with over 26,000 members, which advocates for medical marijuana patients, and caregiver rights. Michael is also the host of Planet Green Trees Radio, a marijuana reform based show, which is broadcast every Thursday night 8-10 pm EST. Follow Komorn on Twitter.
